Numerical Strategies for Solving Continuum Damage Problems with Softening: Application to the Homogenization of Masonry.

The homogenization theory for periodic media is used for deriving the in-plane macroscopic non-linear behaviour of masonry. Two different assumptions are envisaged: plane stress and generalized plane strain. Assuming a continuum damage modelling for the brick and the mortar, the two-dimensional boundary value problem associated with the homogenization method is presented, together with the numerical strategies able to solve it. Emphasis is put on the numerical difficulties related to the softening character of the constitutive law. The results obtained for typical loading paths are presented. Contrarily to common sense, the effect of the head joints is substantial and only the generalized plane strain assumption leads to realistic results.

PEGON Pierre; 

1996-04-16

JRC13114

https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC13114,